Supporting Children and Youth Who Use Substances
This course explores substance use among children and youth in BC, focusing on key risk factors, social and environmental influences, and the importance of early, effective responses. Participants will examine the roles of care providers and services, and build practical skills for developing trauma-informed, culturally safe relationships with young people and their caregivers. Through modules and case studies, attendees will strengthen their ability to screen, assess, and support youth with substance use and concurrent conditions while enhancing collaboration with community and specialist services.
The course is divided into six lessons, Take-Home Resources, and Ask An Expert Portal. The lessons are divided into the following topics:
- Substance Use Amongst Children and Youth in BC: Epidemiology, Impacts, and Developmental Effects
- Establishing Relationships with Youth: Tips for Sensitive Conversations
- Screening and Treatment
- Concurrent Conditions
- Transfer of Care, Implementation, and Follow-Up
- Case Review
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the current landscape of substance use amongst children and youth in BC, including risk factors, social and environmental context, and why this is an important topic.
- Discuss roles of various care providers and services in supporting children and youth who use substances.
- Initiate sensitive, respectful, trauma-informed, and culturally safe relationships with children/youth and their caregivers.
- Initiate screening, risk assessment, intervention, and management of substance use and concurrent conditions amongst children and youth.
- More confidently provide care and supports to children and youth and their families/caregivers who use substances.
- Enhance engagement and connection with specialist and supportive services related to children and youth and their families/caregivers experiencing substance use.
This course is funded by Shared Care and led by the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Community of Practice, in partnership with UBC Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD).
The Planning Committee would like to thank Shared Care for funding this program as well as significant input from members of the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Community of Practice and Health Data Coalition. Contributions were also given by representatives of the BC Center on Substance Use, Ministry of Children and Family Development, and health authorities.
The Division of Continuing Professional Development, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee (CACME) to provide CPD credits for physicians. This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC) of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by UBC CPD. You may claim a maximum of 3.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated). This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by UBC CPD for up to 3.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.